Builder / Site Supervisor

Builder / Site Supervisor

We are looking for an experienced and practical Builder / Site Supervisor to help manage construction projects.

This role would suit someone with hands-on building experience who is also capable of supervising labour, planning work, organising materials and deciding what needs to happen next on site.

We already have labour available to carry out much of the physical work. We need someone who understands construction well enough to guide the team, organise the sequence of works and make sure the project keeps moving.

This is not purely a manual building role and it is not purely an office-based management role. We are looking for someone who understands how building work is actually carried out and can take responsibility for day-to-day site progress.

Main ResponsibilitiesSite Supervision

• Supervise labourers and other workers on site.
• Decide and communicate what work needs to be completed each day.
• Plan the correct sequence of construction works.
• Make sure labour is being used effectively.
• Check that work is being completed properly.
• Identify mistakes or problems before further work continues.
• Monitor progress and make sure the project keeps moving.
• Coordinate different trades including builders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and plasterers.
• Make sure one trade's work is completed before the next stage begins.
• Keep the Director updated on progress and any important issues.

Planning the Work

We are looking for someone who can think ahead rather than simply wait for instructions.

You should be able to look at the current stage of the project and determine:

• What needs to happen next.
• Which jobs should be prioritised.
• Which trades are required.
• What materials need to be ordered.
• When materials need to arrive.
• What work the labourers can complete while waiting for another trade.
• Whether anything is preventing the next stage from starting.

For example, you should be able to recognise that electrical and plumbing first fix needs to be completed before an area is closed or plastered, organise the relevant trades and make sure the required materials are available beforehand.

Materials & Ordering

• Work out what building materials are required.
• Prepare material lists before work starts.
• Measure and estimate quantities where required.
• Research suitable materials and products.
• Obtain prices from suppliers.
• Compare quotations.
• Order materials and equipment.
• Arrange and track deliveries.
• Check deliveries when they arrive.
• Make sure materials are available before workers need them.
• Identify alternative products or suppliers where necessary.
• Help avoid unnecessary waste and overspending.

Practical Building Knowledge

The ideal candidate should have good general knowledge of residential construction, including areas such as:

• Brickwork and blockwork
• Concrete
• Foundations
• Structural alterations
• Timber and carpentry
• Stud walls and partitions
• Insulation
• Plastering
• Roofing
• Flooring
• Bathrooms and kitchens
• Basic plumbing coordination
• Basic electrical coordination
• First fix and second fix works
• Building materials and tools

You do not need to personally carry out every specialist trade, but you should understand the construction process well enough to supervise and coordinate the work.

Hands-On Work

This is primarily a supervisory and coordination role, but the successful candidate should be comfortable getting involved practically where required.

You may occasionally:

• Demonstrate how a job should be completed.
• Help set out work.
• Take measurements.
• Check levels and dimensions.
• Solve practical site problems.
• Assist with smaller building tasks where appropriate.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable both managing the work and understanding the work themselves.

Contractors & Trades

• Find and contact specialist trades where required.
• Arrange site visits.
• Obtain quotations.
• Coordinate attendance on site.
• Explain what work is required.
• Check that contractors have completed the agreed work.
• Follow up where work is incomplete or delayed.

Project Organisation

• Maintain a simple list of completed and outstanding works.
• Keep track of upcoming jobs.
• Maintain a list of materials required and ordered.
• Take site progress photographs.
• Keep basic records of purchases and costs.
• Report problems that require the Director's decision.

Wider Responsibilities

From time to time, the role may also involve helping with other property and practical projects, including:

• Property maintenance.
• Arranging repairs.
• Researching products and equipment.
• Collecting or arranging delivery of materials.
• Coordinating suppliers and contractors.
• Helping manage other property-related tasks.

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal person will:

• Have practical building or construction experience.
• Understand how residential construction projects are carried out.
• Be comfortable supervising labourers.
• Be able to work out what needs doing without constant instructions.
• Think ahead and plan upcoming work.
• Have good practical common sense.
• Be reliable and organised.
• Be comfortable speaking to suppliers and tradespeople.
• Be able to read basic drawings and measurements.
• Be comfortable ordering materials.
• Be able to identify poor workmanship or potential problems.
• Be confident making decisions on everyday site matters.
• Be comfortable using WhatsApp, email and basic spreadsheets.
• Be willing to learn and use tools such as ChatGPT or Claude to help research unfamiliar issues.

Most Important Requirement

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of the site.

Rather than waiting each morning to be told exactly what everyone should do, we want someone who can inspect the project, understand what stage it is at, organise the labour and materials and keep the work moving.

The Director should mainly need to become involved when there is a significant design, cost or strategic decision.

Suitable Backgrounds

This role could suit:

• An experienced builder ready to take on more responsibility.
• A working foreman.
• A construction site supervisor.
• An assistant site manager with strong practical knowledge.
• Someone who has run small residential building projects.
• A skilled tradesperson who has progressed into supervising other workers.
• Formal qualifications are useful but not essential. Practical construction knowledge, reliability and the ability to manage people are more important.

Altrone